Once upon a time, Sam and Amy lived in a beautiful old house on a tree-lined street in Poughkeepsie, New York. It was a lovely house from the outside, but inside, something was very wrong. Every day, the same story unfolded before the children’s eyes. For a long time, it seemed like nothing would ever change, and Sam and Amy felt vulnerable, isolated, and afraid. But this story has a happy ending, and one day a new door opened to a special place called Grace Smith House. This place was safe and nurturing, and best of all, contained many wonderful books! And Sam and Amy opened a new chapter to a life free from the shadow of domestic abuse.

Sam and Amy’s story is familiar to the countless children who have found shelter with their parent at Grace Smith House. Our mission is to empower individuals and their families to build new lives after escaping domestic violence, and turning the first page requires renewing the emotional bond between a child and their parent.Reading books together helps parents and children connect, strengthens trust, and eases the psychological pain inflicted through extensive exposure to abuse. Our little library is filled every day with the laughter of children just like Sam and Amy picking out books to share with their parent. Each new chapter a parent and child begin together is a door to a brighter, better future.

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Library Funding

Our Non-Residential Children's Library program was made possible with funding and grants from the Community Response Grants Fund - Dutchess of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, the Senator Stephen M. Saland Legacy Fund, Mid-Hudson Reading Council, Vassar College and Jewish Women's International. Thank you for your support!